Process of and apparatus for filtering materials



R. P. DUNMIRE 2,442,234 w PROCESS OF AND APPARATUS FOR FILTERING MATERIALS May 25, 1948.

Filed May 11, 1944 4 SheetsSheet 1 FIG-.1

FIG.3.

INVENT OR.

22 BY RUSSELLP. DUNMIRE,

May 25, 1948.

R. P. DUNNIIRE PROCESS OF AND AIPARATUS FOR FILTERING MATERIALS Filed May 11, 1944 4 'Sh'ets-Shegt :2

mvEmox RUSSELL F. DUN MIRE. JLJ

y 25. 1948. R. P. DUNMIREI 2,442,234

PROCESS OF AND APPARATUS FOR FILTERING MATERIALS Filed May 11, 1944 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 l l l' 12 INVENTOR,

ELL P. D UNMIR E.

R. P. DUNMIRE ,234 PROCESS OF AND A1"PARATUS FOR FILTERING IA'I'ERIALS May 25, 1948.

4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Hay 11, 1944 R. RUSSEL L a DUNMIRE.

Patented May 25,

oar-lea PROCESS OF AND APPARATUS FOR FILTERINQ MATERIALS Russell P. Dunmire, Orange, Ohio Application May n, 1944, Serial no. 535,062

- Claims. (01. 210-84) This invention relates to the process of and apparatus for separating or filtering fluids in the gaseous or liquid phase and/or solids in a semi-liquid state. such materials including (a) cutting, lubricating and fuel oils, waste oils from motor crank cases, varnishes, lacquers. paint,

edible oils, acids, colloids and water; (1. liquid solutions employed in carrying out various processes, (c) coolants for machinery employed in grinding and/or cutting or shaping materials and (d) various other liquids from .which it is desired to remove various suspensoids or where it is desirable to separate miscible liquids one I from another.

It may also be utilized to separate solid materials entrained in gaseous fluids, dust from air or ash from gases and where it is desired to separate liquid particles from gaseous fluids, such as' water from steam, and condensed fluid particles from a gas such as oil andsolid materials from gasolene. v

Likewise, the apparatus may be employed for separating solid materials from liquids, where it is desirable to collect the solid materials, irrespective of the immediate or ultimate use, if any, of the resulting liquid.

The apparatus may also be employed to filter a fluid containing micro-sized solids and liquid contaminants which are to be separated out and which have so small a mass as to'be unaflected by a centrifugal force normally used or applied by means of a standard centrifuge. In apparatus heretofore employed for filtering fluids containing micro-sized solids and/or liquids, of which I have knowledge, the speed of filtration was very slow due to the clogging of the filter pores or capillaries in the filter media or wall, in view of which it is apparent that the surfaceoi the filter media or wall must be maintained completely clear of a deposit (solids, slimes or other material) to insure speed of filtration.

Another object or the invention is to provide an improved filtering,- apparatus to which material is continuously supplied, constructed to automatically maintain the filtering means of the apparatus substantially free oi the heavier and/or solid portions of the supplied material, whereby a speed and efilcient operation result,

By reason of the fact that the apparatus is capable of operating on various kinds of materials the terms "filtering" and "separating" are used in their broader sense.

One object of the invention is to provide an improved process of separating or filtering materials wherein centrifugal force efl'ective in a direction opposed to the fiow of the supplied material is utilized to separate out portions thereof.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved process for separating from a fluid micro particles, whether consisting of solids or immiscible liquids and eflecting agglomeration or coagulation thereof into masses capable of gravitat g.

Another object 0! the invention is to provide an improved apparatus oi this character the construction and operation of which prevent the accumulation on the filtering wall of the heavy, waste or solid ingredients in the material supplied to the apparatus, whereby clogging oi the openings or pores in this wall iseliminated.

Another object 01 the invention is to provide an improved filtering apparatus, to which the material to be filtered is supplied under pressure,

having means for establishing or generating ad- Jacent to the zone wherein filtering takes place, forces in opposition to the pressure oi the supplied material, eflective to displace from the filtering zone the heavier and/or solid portions of the material, whereby the filtering operation may be carried on continuously, rapidly and efilciently,

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved filtering apparatus having a driven annular filtering wall which establishes a centrifugal force in opposition to the fiow oi the material and acts on the heavy, waste or solid,

portions of the material to prevent clog ing of the wall or accumulation of such materials thereon.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved filtering apparatus comprising an outer casing to which the material is supplied,

an inner rotatable casing havingan outlet, the

side walls of the inner casing being formed of porous or foraminous material and means in the outer casing for preventing the rotation oi the material therein.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved filtering apparatus comprising an outer casing having at its upper end an inlet through which the material is supplied under pressure to the casingand a discharge opening in its lower end, an inner rotatable-casing having an outlet, the side walls of the inner casing being formed with openings through which the liquid portions of the material flow thereinto, and means in the outer casing for directing the filtrate downwardly through the discharge 1 opening.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved apparatus for separating from a fluid micro organisms or particles, whether consisting oi solids or immiscible liquids, and eii'ectin section of a filtering apparatus embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a section on the line 2-2 of Fig. i.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary section of parts shown in Fig. l, enlarged.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of a deflector.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to Fig. 2 (enlarged); but a portion of Fig. 5 being on the line 5-5 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary section on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a view of a modified form of construction, partly in section and partly in elevation.

Fig. 8 is a section on the line 8-4 of Fig.7.

Figs. 9 and 'io are perspective views of certain parts. I

Each of my embodiments of the inventions disclosed herein comprehends an apparatus of the a centrifugal type, but wherein the flow of the fluid to be filtered and its application to the filtering means are in opposition to the centrifugal force set up or established by an annulus carried by or forming part of the rotating member of the apparatus, this annulus being constructed to permit'fiow of the filtrate therethrough to the interior of the rotating member for circulation to a discharge or outlet leading from the apparatus.

In one embodiment. the annulus consists of a wall formed with through openings as later set forth; in the other embodiment the annulus consists of spaced fixedly related rings, as later set forth.

In the drawings, l indicates as an entirety an outer casing to which the material tobe filtered is delivered; 2 indicates as an entirety filtering or separating means within the casing I and driven by a suitable motor 3, preferably mounted on the casing I by means of a bracket 3a, in connected relation to the filtering or separating means to illustrate one form of driving means for the latter.

In the form of construction shown in Figs. 1 to 6, inclusive, the filtering or separating means consist of a casing 2' having an annular wall 2:: which is formed of porous or foraminous material and through which the filtrate flows to effect filtration or separation of the supplied material, this wall being rotated about its axis by the motor 3 (as hereinafter set forth) to establish outwardly thereof a centrifugal force effective to act on those portions of the material that are to be separated therefrom. I

By preference, the filtering wall forms the side wall of the casing 2, which is bodily rotated by the motor 3.

As already set (forth, the apparatus is adapted to operate on a wide range of materials. Accordingly, the size of the openings in the filtering wall will depend upon the kind or character of material to be filtered, its pressure and the speed of rotation of this wall; also, where the material to be filtered consists of a liquid, the speed of rotation of the filtering wall and the size of the or side of the pump I posed in close relation to the outer casing i, it

pipe 5 is connected to openings therein will depend upon both the viscosity and pressure of the liquid.

The outer casing l consists of upper and lower heads la, lb, formed with annular seats for an annular wall -I' and secured together and to the wall I' by bolts lc. The opposite ends of the wall I engage suitable gaskets seats, whereby the casing i is made liquid tight. Either .head or both heads la, lb, may be provided with suitable instrumentalities .(not shown), whereby the apparatus may be mounted on a suitable support or frame of a machine depending on the specific application of the apparatus. In the form of construction disclosed the wall I is formed of transparent material, such as glass. The head la is formed with an inlet la, the walls of which are preferably provided with screw threads to receive and mount a nipple 4, removably connected by a coupling in to a supply pipe 6, through which the material to be filtered or operated upon is supplied under pressure, In the preferred form of construction, the

the outlet end of a suitable rotary pump 6 supported on brackets to. which are secured to the casing of the motor't, the rotor of the pump 6 being drivingly connected to the shaft of the motor 3, whereby one motor is utilized to drive both the inner casing 2' and pump 8. The material to be operated upon is supplied under pressure by gravity or otherwise by a pipe 1 suitably connected to the inlet end 8., The pump 6 being disinsures delivery of the material through the inlet la' into the casing l at adequate pressure to insure flow of the filtered material into the easing 2, whereas the casing 2' is rotated, the effect of which is to establish outwardly thereof a centrifugal force which acts on the heavyand/or solid portions of the supplied material in opposition to the pressure thereof to prevent accurnulation of such portions on the filtering wall of the casing 2'. Accordingly, it is advantageous to provide a pump in close relation to the inlet for the casing l to insure a uniform supplyof the material at the proper pressure thereto. The head la is provided with an annular upwardly extending collar 8 on which is removably mounted a cap 9 to form a chamber ill, the side wall of the collar being formed with a screw threaded outlet opening to which a discharge pipe I I (later,

referred to) is connected. The lower head lb isformed with one or more openings lb (six openings lb in annular arrangement being shown) through which that portion of the material, which is prevented from filtering through and into the inner casing 2, gravitates or is directed, as later set forth, into a collector l2, removably related to the head lb. By preference, the collector i2 is provided with a flange l2a formed with openings, so that certain of the bolts lc may be extended through the head lb and flange l2a and engaged by wing nuts ic' for removably supporting the collector on the head lb. As shown, a gasket l2b is provided between the fiange I21: and head lb to prevent leakage from the casing l. The bottom wall of the collector i2 is provided with a valved drain opening, whereby any liquid material therein may be discharged from time to time.

The casing 2 comprises the following: 2a indicates a hollow shaft mounted axially of the casing l and preferably closed at its lower end by a threaded plug IS. The shaft 2a is hollow, whereby it may be utilized as the conduit for the -le provided in the filtrate from the inner side discharge pipe. Tl'ielowerend of the shaftja time wan to the loosely fits an upstanding'collar or boss IIa pro vided on, the-inner face of the head lb. The head lb and outer face of the plug II are formed with related recesses in which is mounted a ball II to provide an anti-friction and 'thrust bearing for the shaft 2a. .The upper end of the shaft extends throughalined openings formed in the head Ia and cap 9 for-connection by,-means of a suitable coupling II with the shaftof. the 7 motor I. A gasket I la is interposed between the parts of the coupling II to prevent the escape of the filtrate from the shaft 2a. The casing I is provided with ahearing for the upper end of the in the arrangement illustratedv the in to accommodate anti-friction bearings I 6 between it and the shaft 2a, the bearing I8 being secured in position by an annular ring Ilrremov ably bolted to the cap 9. -18, Ila, indicate spaced upper and lower heads each having a hollow boss I lb, fitting theshaft 2a and removably secured thereto by a set screw Ilc. The inner faces of the heads I8, I 8a, adjacent their peripheries,-

are formed with alined recesses I9 which form seats for the opposite ends of the porous or foraminous wall 22:. It will be understood that the wall 2:: may be of any desired thicknm and the openings therethrough may be of varying sizes for reasons already set forth. Where a porous wall is employed, it may be formedof carborundum. carbon, compressed powdered metal or artificial stone. The seats I8 are preferably annular and the wall. 2:: is preferably formed of a single section of material shaped in cross section to removably fit the seats I8, whereby the casing 2' is of true cylindrical form, but the invention is not tobe limited to a wall of this cross-sectional shape, since the centrifugal force set up due to the rotation of the casing 2' will be efl'ective where this wall is sectional or of some other shape. Suitable gaskets 2|.are interposed between the opposite ends of the wall 2:2: and the bottoms of the seats I9 to prevent leakage of the filtrate from the casing'l'. The side walls of the shaft 2a between the heads I8, I8a, are formed with a plurality of openings 22, to permit flow of the material filtered through the wall or zone 2:: into the shaft 2a. That portion of the shaft 2a extending through the chamber III is formed with a plurality of openings 23 (preferably elongated longitudinally of the shaft) to discharge the filtrate into the chamber I0 for discharge through the pipe I I.- The side walls of the openings 7 flowing up through the shaft to increase the flow thereof into and through the pipe I I. 24 indicates a pair of plates surrounding and closely fitting the shaft 2a within the chamber I0 and engaged by a coiled expansion spring 21a which normally holds the plates in engagement with the "bottom wall of the chamber III and inner face of the cap 8. 25 indicates a suitable mounted in an annular recess formed in the lower side or face of the head Ia and having a spring operated sealing element engaging the shaft 2a to prevent the escape of material in the casing I, due to pressure or capillary attraction, into the chamber III. 26 indicates a suitable seal mounted in an annular recess formed in the cap 9 below the hearing it and having aspring operated sealing element engaging the shaft 2a to prevent the escape of material in the bearing and outwardly therethrough. I

23 act centrifugally on the filtrate chamber III into the .7 2', they form with the wall I the shaft 211 adjacent each of these parts a pluralfty or set oi' outwardly extending arms or wings 2x, the revolution of which bythe shaft imparts movement to the material outwardly. In the form of construction shown the arms or wings 24: of each set consists of ridges embossed one. metal disc 22:? (see Fig. 4) which is provided with a coll'ar secured to the shaft 2a in any desired manner. 21 indicates a plurality of deflectors within the casing I and uniformly spaced 1; erearound and preferably formed integrally wit the wall I'. The deflectors '21 are preferably curvilinear in cross section and extend inwardly relative to the wall I' in opposed relation to the direction of rotation ofthe casing 2' (seearrows :c in Figs. 2, 5 and 6) and are disposed from .end" to end of the wall I at an ansle slightly inclined to its axis (see Figs. 1 and 6). The deflectors 21 on the wall I serve as barriers (a) which prevent rotative movement of .the material (or portions thereof) supplied to the casing I due to frictional contact of the casing 2' therewith and (h) set up a turbulence or agitation in the material, whereby the heavy or solid portions thereof may be more readily separated from the fiuid portion. and other results attained, as later set forth.

\ By positioning the deflectors 21 in opposed relation to the direction of rotation of the casing pockets in which eddy'currents are set up, the effect of which is to increase the agitation of the material. By preventing rotation of the material in the casing- I, the outer surface of the wall 2:: of the casing 2' is continuously washed by po tions of the material without unduly affecting the flow of the liquid material through the wall 21 due to the pressure of the material supplied to the casing By disposing the deflectors 21 at an angle inclined to the axis of the casing I, they serve to direct the heavy and/or solid portions of the material downwardly, whereby such portions are collected in the collector I2 for, subsequent removal. I

In operation, the material is supplied into the casin I under pressure and in contact with the filtering wall 2:, which being of a porous character, permits the liquid or fluid portion of the material to flow therethrough into the casing I from .whichit flows through the shaft 2a to the chamber ill for discharge through the pipe II. Due to the revolution of the wall"2:r a centrifugal force or zone is established on its outer surface and in the liquid or fluid material adjacent thereto, which force acts on the heavy and/or solid portions of the supplied'material to impart an outward movement thereof away from the wall 22 and hence accumulating or being deposited on this wall. As there is a continuous supply of the materiahto the casing I and a continuous centrifugal force imparted to the heavy or solid portions thereof, the latter are forced outwardly and then downwardly into the collector I2 due to the angular arangement of the deflectors 21. Accordingly, it will be observed that the filtering wall 22: is

v automatically maintained free of those portions prevents such portions from a predetermined rate a, ,ass

7 ugal force established will not prevent the inflow of material into the win: 3', but will operate effectively upon the heavier and/or solid the material without undui! affectrelated to or balanced against the pressure oi!v the supplied material. where the material to be filtered is a liquid. this speed and pressure must be regulated with respect to the viscosity of the material, to insure how of the and rapid and efficient liquid or fluid at operation. As shown-.the motor 3 is directly cou- I pied to the shaft 3a and pump 3, so that the latter is designed for a predetermined capacity in relation to the speed of the casing 3' and viacosity of the material to be supplied to the easmg I. It will be obvious that a suitable speed change mechanism may be interposed between the motor 3 and shaft is or between the motor 3 and pump 3 to meet varying conditions, dependent upon the kind and/or viscosity of the material to be operated upon; or a variable speed motor may be employed and the pump 3 driven by a separate motor.

It will be observed construction of the wall 31: will depend upon the kind of material to be filtered and/or the character or size of the heavy particles or bodies therein. For example, this wall may consist of sheet metal formed with openings of any desired size, wire mesh of any desired screen capacity per square inch or spaced annular rings. as later set forth.

n the other hand, the wall 2:: may be adapted to separate out the heavier portions of immiscible liquids. In employing a liquid of this character the macro solids or particles are progressively forced outwardly and caused to unite or agglomerate with other particles into larger sizes or masses as shown at x (see Fig. 5) and these masses may in turn unite or agglomerate with other particles and/or masses as shown at :2". whereby bodies of solid materials capable of gravitating result. As these masses are acted upon by the centrifugal force developed by the casing 2', they are continuously forced outwardly away from the wall 23: and accumulate against the wall I. Where the fluid to be filtered contains micro organisms or particles in the solid and/or liquid phase, they are caused to agglomerate progressively by action of the centrifugal force until the combined agglomerated organisms or particles build up into masses having a size capable of being further acted upon by the centrifugal force and are thereby forced beyond the influence thereof and free to precipitate due to the action of gravity, whereby they settle into the collection chamber l3. Due to the fact that the casing i.is maintained filled with the material to be filtered and a centrifugal by the'rotating casing 3', these masses are continuously formed and progressively forced outwardly and the previously formed masses are forced beyond ti 1 influence of the centrifugal force, whereby time masses are free to precipitate under the influence of gravity. As these masses are continuously formed, the previously formed masses are forced by the succeeding masses outclined deflectors 21, which co-act with the outward movement of the masses to direct them downwardly into the collector II.

In the embodiment shown in Figs. 7, 8. 9 and 10, the outer casing, indicated as an entirety at 33, is similar in constructionto the casing force is established that the type, character or- I shown in Figs. 1 and 3, except that the upper head 33:: thereof is formed with a plurality of openings 33 (two only being shown) through which. the filtrate flows to a chamber 33 for dischar e through the pipe 3i. The lower head 33b of the casing 33 supports a collector l3 which-is similar to the collector shown in Fig. l.

The filtering or separating means. indicated as an entirety at 33, comprises a rotating member consisting ofa plurality of spaced, fixedly related rings 33, surrounding and fixedly connected to a shaft 33. which being driven (as later set forth) rotates the rings 33 to establish a centrifugal force outwardly thereof. The shaft 33 is mounted at its lower end in a thrust bearing 33 provided on thelower hld 23b of the casing 33. The upper end portion of the shaft extends through the upper head 33a and the chamber 33 and is mounted in suitable anti-friction bearings Ma. The upper end of the shaft 34 is connected through a suitable coupling 33!) to the shaft of a motor 3', which is preferably mounted on the casing 33 similarly to the mounting-of the motor 3. By preference, the motor 3' operates a pump 3' which supplies the material to be filtered through a pipe 5 to the casing 33. Each ring 33 is integrally connected to radial, inwardly extending arms 33a, the inner ends ofwhich are integrally connected to a collar 33b fitting the shaft 33, these parts being preferably stamped out of sheet stock. 33 indicates spacers (preferably stamped out of sheet stock) interposed between the collars 33b, and serving as the means for spacing the rings 33. to form therebetween in-flow openings for the filtrate. Each spacer 3 consists of an annulus 33a fitting the shaft 34 and provided with outwardly extending radial lugs 33b, one for each arm 33a of adjacent rings 33 and alined therewith to reinforce them. As will be observed the collars 33b and spacers 33 are assembled face to face on the shaft 34 and may be secured thereto, but by preference they are rigidly held in assembled relation between a pair of plates 31, 31a, which are pinned or otherwise secured tothe shaft 34. It will also be observed that the rings 33 and spacers 33 may be of any openings 33' wardly or radially into engagement with the indesired thickness and/or the thickness of the rings 33 may vary with respect to that of the spacers 38. The spacers may have a thickness of two ten thousandths of an inch, but may be varied dependent upon the kind of material supplied-to the casing '28.

In assembling the rings 33 on the shaft 33, the formed by the arms 33a and collars 33b are alined and serve as conduits for the filtrate in registry with openingsflz formed in the plate 31, the latter openings being arranged to register with the openings 29, as the member 33 rotates, to permit fiow of the filtrate to the chamber 33 and discharge therefrom through pipe 3!.

The pump for supplying the material to the outer casing of the apparatus may be provided with suitable priming means such as shown in Fig. 7. In this arrangement the supply pipe 33 which leads to the intake of the pump 8', is provided with a casing 33. A venturi 33a is mounted inthe casing 33 with its in -take end related to a port 5" formed in the pipe 5', so that when the pump. is initially driven the stream of air from the port 5 flowing through the venturi will induce flow of the material supplied by the pipe Under some circumstances it may be desirable to filter material without rotating the casing 3 or between the rings 33 (Fig. 7) become totally or partially clogged by the heavier or solid portions of the material and to then, for a period of time, operate the motor to rotate the casing or member, the centrifugal force thereby established serving to remove from the wall 29: or rings 33 such portions of the material that adhered thereto. 30 indicates a pressure gage suitably connected to the nipple d. N indicates a switch for closing the motor circuit.

To those skilled in the art to which my invention relates, many changes in construction and widely diilering embodiments and applications of the invention will su gest themselves without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. My disclosures and the description herein are purely illustrative and are not intended to be in any sense limiting.

What I claim is:

1. In a filtering apparatus, the combination of a substantially liquid tight casing consisting of upper and lower end walls and a side wall. a separate casing mounted within said first mentioned casing to rotate about a vertical axis and provided with a porous side wall through which the material is filtered. outlet connections for the filtrate leading from the interior of said separate casing through one of said end walls, means for supplying material under pressure into said first mentioned casing, means for rotating said separate casing, the lower end wall of said first mentioned casing being formed with an opening through which the heavy particles of the material are discharged, and deflectors on and extending substantially longitudinally of the inner wall of said first mentioned casing for directing the heavy particles downwardly to said discharge 9 opening. 2. An apparatusas claimed in claim 1 wherein said deflectors are inclined to the axis of said first mentioned casing.

3. In a filtering apparatus, the combination of a casing having an annular side wall and top and bottom end w an inlet extending through said top end wall, a separate casing within said first mentioned casing and consisting of top and bottom end walls and an annular side wall concentrically related to the side wall of said first mentioned casing and formed of porous material arranged to provide an annular space between it and the side wall oi said first mentioned casing, a hollow shaft fixedly related to said separate casing and extending therethrough and the top end wall of said first mentioned casing and rotatably supported in hearings in the top and bottom end walls of said first mentioned casing, a discharge chamber carried by the top end wall of e 1O casing being formed with outlet openings for the discharge of the filtered material into said chamber, means for supplying through said inlet to said first mentioned casing material under pressure, means for rotating said shaft and separate casing to establish a centrifugal force outwardly of said porous side wall to prevent accumulation thereon of the heavier portions of the material, and a discharge conduit leading from said cham- 10 her, the bottom end wall of said first mentioned casing being formed with an opening throughwhich the heavier portions of the material are discharged.

4. In apparatus of the class described, the

5 combination of a casing consisting of upper and lower end walls and an annular side wall, said lower end wall being formed with a discharge opening, means for supplying into the upper end of said casing fluid under pressure to be filtered,

an outlet leadingifrom said casing, filtering means within said casing, said filtering means including amember mounted to rotate in bearings provided in said upper and lower end walls and having a porous side wall through which the filtrate flows to said outlet, power means for rotating said member. to establish outwardly thereof a centrifugal influence arranged to force the heavier portions of the fluid away from said member and prevent clog in of said side wall, and spaced elements on the inner side of the side wall of said casing and extending longitudinally thereof for guiding the heavier portions of the material to said discharge opening.

5. The herein disclosed process of agglomerating and filtering particles in a mixture thereof with a fluid, which comprises continuously sup-- plying the mixture under pressure to a casing for flow therethrough in opposition to a centrifugal force established by a rotating porous wall in 0 said casing and simultaneously retarding the mixture as it contacts the rotating porous wall, whereby rotation of the mixture is retarded, filtering of the fluid through the Wall. and agglomerationoi the particles are obtained, and continuously discharging the filtrate and collecting the agglomerated particles.

RUSSELL P. DUNMIRE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are oi record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Great Britain Dec. 27, 1928 

